It seems like every time I’m preparing to attend one of IBM’s large user conferences, event organizers just keep upping the wow factor. Whether it’s Serena Williams sharing how using data improved her tennis game or Kevin Spacey preaching about how technology empowers the rule breakers, I am amazed at how these celebrity keynote speakers always bring the message down to its essence with an IBM spin. Having No Doubt or Aerosmith waiting backstage doesn’t hurt that wow factor either.
So now it’s time for IBM Insight 2015, and who’s on the bill to speak but Hollywood legend Ron Howard – or as Eddie Murphy and I like to call him, “Opie Cunningham.”
A TV icon twice over and one of Hollywood’s most talented director/producers, Howard helped make some of our generation’s greatest films, like Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind, as well as some that, while not so great are some of my favorites: Willow, Cocoon and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
You can believe that as a former reporter, current tech blogger and reluctant fiction writer, I will be on the edge of my seat as Howard sheds some light on his storytelling philosophy during IBM Insight’s Wednesday general session, “Make Your Mark – Disrupt Your Marketplace.” Howard will share the stage with his long-time producing partner Brian Grazer, along with Fredi Lajvardi, a nationally recognized STEM educator and the subject of the documentary, “Underwater Dreams,” and major motion picture, “Spare Parts.”
As if this isn’t enough to keep IBM Insight 2015 attendees enthralled, Adam Levine and a little Grammy-winning band called Maroon 5 will be performing during IBM Insight’s customer appreciation event.
I’m a Twitter geek, so one of the highlights of IBM Insight 2015 for me will be hearing Twitter VP of Data Strategy Chris Moody kick off IBM Insight’s Monday morning general session “Leave No Problem Unsolved – Transform Your Industry.” Moody will provide insight into how Twitter handles its vast data ecosystem.
Laurent Borne, Whirlpool’s general manager of Connected Appliances, will also speak during Monday morning’s general session on how his company is innovating its products for the ensuing Internet of Things wave. David Kenny, CEO of The Weather Company, and Jack McMaster, President of the Preparedness and Health and Safety Services at the American Red Cross, will share innovations applied at their organizations through insightful data.
In addition to the general sessions, IBM Insight 2015’s expected 14,000 attendees will get a chance to take advantage of seven keynotes, nine super sessions and more than 1,600 sessions and hands-on labs.
Jason Silva of National Geographic Channel’s Brain Games will lead IBM Insight’s Social Business super session entitled “Technology Transcendence: Giving Your Collaboration Tools a Brain.” Silva will discuss the ability to extend collaboration with technologies like cognitive computing to increase our potential as individuals and change the way we work together. Also during this super session, IBM’s Rob Koplowitz will discuss how the power of Watson and other emerging technologies are making teams and people more productive at work.
IBM Insight’s remaining eight super sessions will cover:
- Mobile – Context is King: How Mobility is Changing the Game in the Insight Economy
- Strategic Data Partnerships – Reimagine Analytics for the Insight Economy with Twitter and the Weather Company
- Systems and Architecture – From Challenges to Shared Vision: The Path Toward a Comprehensive Big Data Analytics Solution
- z Systems – Distinguish Your Business: Compete by Driving Real-Time High-Quality Insights
- Cloud Data Services – Building Today’s Business in the Cloud
- Information, Integration and Governance – Achieving Comprehensive Information Integration and Governance
- Internet of Things – IoT: Insight for Business Transformation
- Security – Stop Unknown Threats Before You’re Breached: Apply Analytics to the Challenge of Security
Global Knowledge is sponsoring IBM Insight’s Hands-On Labs station, as well as the Certification and Testing Center. The Hands-On Labs are located in Mandalay Bay at Bayside F on Level 1, and the Certification and Testing Center is in Surf D-F at Level 2.
If you’re attending IBM Insight, stop by to see us at Booth 750 in the Solution Center at Mandalay Bay. If you can’t make it, be sure to follow us at @GKonIBM for updates from IBM Insight 2015.